GBM 5pm TONIGHT, Bargaining Update, Statement From BC
Dear Student Workers,
We invite everyone to our GBM today at 5pm to discuss how we will prioritize rank-and-file input during the coming weeks. Zoom link here.
We have a pressing need for stopping deliveries! Each delivery that is turned away disrupts the university. Sign up here - an organizer will be in touch and get you everything you need to get started. This counts towards your 10 hours of picketing per week.
This Thursday strikers are set to receive their first check of $275. Next Wednesday strikers will receive $550, which includes a Thanksgiving Bonus, if the unit votes to remain on strike.
Bargaining Update:
Yesterday’s bargaining session was short, but revealing. We reiterated our determination to defend SWC members against unlawful threats of retaliation for exercising our legal right to strike. We reminded the university that we are striking in part because Columbia has repeatedly committed unfair labor practices, including the imposition of a wage freeze in retaliation for rejecting the spring TA and unilaterally changing the way student workers’ wages are disbursed. This means student workers are not only protected from being fired or disciplined for going on strike, but also cannot have their labor permanently replaced. All SWC members are protected from retaliation for participating in our strike. If you have been threatened with retaliation in any form, please contact the Bargaining Committee (gwc.bargaining@gmail.com) and we will help protect you.
Our team came with a proposal on transitional funding to discuss, but the Deans were not present. Columbia’s team did not engage with our proposal at all, reverting to their all too familiar tactic of condescending and stone-walling instead of meaningfully participating in the bargaining process. Our team emphasized once again how absolutely necessary our compensation demands are, presenting an extensive analysis based on the university's own calculations of how much we need to afford living in NYC. Columbia deflected with outrageous arguments about us not working full time, while admitting that - yes, we are indeed not being paid enough to live in NYC but that nonetheless, that is reasonable to them.
Our team used this opportunity to present them with our terms for mediation, as voted on by our membership in last Thursday’s GBM. We gave the university the name of the mediator we want to take on our case, Kevin Flanigan—a well established mediator with extensive experience in higher-ed mediation. Columbia promised to get back to us soon about whether they will accept him. In sharp contrast to last semester, Columbia didn’t mention stopping the strike. This is a clear indication that they are taking us seriously: they know the only way to stop the strike is to move at the table.
Statement from the Bargaining Committee:
Entering mediation by no means entails a stop to the strike: if anything we need a stronger strike! Mediation, combined with our strike leverage, means we will have the opportunity to see Columbia’s cards. They have promised several times that they have various, allegedly meaningful, concessions they intend to make once we move to mediation. Our strike has already made Columbia move, and it will only increase the pressure on them and help force their hand as we enter the mediation process. We invite everyone to our GBM today at 5pm to discuss how we will prioritize rank-and-file input during the coming weeks. Zoom link here.
The Bargaining Committee unanimously recommends continuing the strike during mediation. The only thing that persuades Columbia to improve our working conditions is the disruption of university operations, and we need this leverage to make mediation work for us. This Thursday strikers are set to receive their first check of $275. Next Wednesday strikers will receive $550, which includes a Thanksgiving Bonus, if the unit votes to remain on strike. The poll on whether to continue or end the strike will be sent out after the GBM. Importantly, this week marks the point where our strike has disrupted enough classes to mean Columbia will not be able to meet the New York State Education Department’s accreditation requirements for giving academic credit. Now, more than ever, is the time to stay strong, hold the line, and stand united.